The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1887-03-31
SUNDAY MEDITATION.
Practical DutIes Taught By Study OF the Inter-
national Sunday school Lesson Appointed for
April 10. Gen., Al :3S4S.

RATIONAL Sunuay-scnoOi Lesson appointed tor
April 10. Gen., Al :3S-4s.
Zone reading these notes should first carefully
study the paragraph from the Holy Scriptures as
indicated aboye.l
SUBJECT: JOSEPH EXALTED.
Joseph had been sold by his brothers to some
slave-dealers, who took him from Dothan, the
place of the purchase, down into Egypt, and
sold him to Potiphar, an officer Of Pharaoh,
Captain of the Guard" (27: 25-2s, SO: 80 IL
Joseph inspired such confidence in POtiphar as
soon to be intrusted with all of that officers
financial and household interests. Through
the iniquity of Potiphar's wife, Joseph was at
length arrested and imprisoned. Even in
prison Joseph impressed all with his integrity
and wisdom so much so that the keeper of the
prison made him q deputy. After time the
prison received two noted characters, the butler
and the baker of Pharaoh. These were evil
IDENTIFY prominent commissary officials of the
Egyptian court The two had dreams, which
Joseph interpreted. The butler was to be re-
stored to honor and offiee-the baker was to be
hanged. The interpretations of Joseph turned
out TO be correct. The butler could never for
get such wonderful power on JOseph's part.
Two years after this episode Pharaoh had a
dream, which none of his wise men could ex-
plain. Then the butler remembered that
Joseph showed an inexplicabe ability in in
terpreting dreams, and suggested to Pharaoh
that he apply TO Joseph to unrayel the strange
dream. In his anxiety and strait, he ordered
Joseph to be brought to the palace, and stated
to him his dream. Joseph interpreted it. He
told Pharaoh of the seven years of plenty, and
the seven years of drought to follow; advised
him to store up grains during the seven abun-
dant barvests, so as to be prepared for the seven
years of famine, and exhOTted him to select
some competent person to have in charge the
whole matter. Pharaoh and his court were re-
lieved when they learned the full force of the
dream, finding plenty is to precede famine, and
so give chance to get in readiness for the years
of dearth. Every word uttered by one so wise
as Joseph showed himself to be was worthy Of
consideration. He had advised that man be
appointed, with enough subofieers, TO build
storehOuses throughout the land, and to I'll
them. Where is the MANI What more natural
than that all eyes turn TO Joseph2 a. lie Is the
man! +" all would exelaim.
We notice how careful Joseph was to prevent
the people from getting the idea he interpreted
dreams by his own wisdom He declared the
gift was from God. al :16.) Providence was
working out great problem. Doubtless JOS
eph's power as to dreams was bestowed on him
on purpose to bring him into conspieuousness
and advancement. Surely God works IN q
mysterious way performing wonders. God not
only enabled Joseph to unfold Pharaoh's
dreams, but also to impart the wise counsels as
10 pfoEluluS IN plenty LOT WANT.
Joseph was 80 years old when he became
Governor of Egypt. al 49, He was born in
the year 1853 A. NJ. Hence. the present lesson
is dated 22S9 A. NJ, or Ills b. C., or $500 years
ago.
That was a sudden and great rise-from
prison TO palace; from prisoner toa Governor
1t required great powers of self-cOntrOl not to
be too exalted by such promotion. Few men
could have gone through the ordeal awaiting
Joseph. The tendency of the possession of power
is toward baughtiness, tyrannicainess. Joseph
| bore himself nobly. He was evidently pre-
possessing in manner, of excellent Judgment
dignified in bearing. 1t is compliment to
him that in the grand turning-point of Egypt's
/ fate, all eyes naturally looked up to Joseph.
As the inventor of amachineis thought the most
| suitable person to run it. so it was judged that
he who could fortell the events of Ii years to
come was the very man to manipulate the
| affairs.
| Joseph accepted the position Of Governor.
| It was delicate matter He had said, (V. IS, }
Look out a man discreet and wise" He was
not then probably so conversant with Gods
| future plans as TO suspect he would be chosen
to the pOsition-he. youth, slave, a prisoner, a
man of different nationality and religion. But
Pharaoh was not lacking in good diplomacy.
| He inferred at once that Joseph could be no
| ordinary person, and so declared, there is
none so discreet and wise as thou [Josephl
art" Then, further Pharaoh was convinced
| Joseph could carry with him the influence OF
the true God. In Pharaoh's mind it was much
to have the Omniscient on his side. lt was a
splendid stroke of policy on the part of the
| King of Egypt to secure Joseph. He thus had
! for Governor one who could foresee the whole
work TO be done; one who had discovered ex-
cellent Judgment in his suggestions, VS. "a SO,
| man of executive ability, and one in eOmmu-
nication with God. 1t would have been i'm
/ l. fl u. 81
/ Joseph. That was a splendid illustration OF
manliness. independence, prudence, shown by
Pharaoh, when, rising above prejudice, national
! and religious, towering above all feelings OF
| caste, ignoring any possible opposition of his
| own subjects, he chose Joseph, the Hebrew,
the slave, the prisoner, to be jOint-ruler with
himself over Egypt. There must have been
more than the evidence of mere supernatural
power in revealing dreams to inspire Pharaoh
| with such confidence. He would not put into
the hands Of any man the management of his
palace and invest him with all but kingly
power, unless he saw in him great natural
qualifications. There was danger Of compromis-
ing his kingship, and so Pharaoh reserved to
himself those peculiar acts which were dis
tinctively royal.
Joseph must have authority as Governor
He must have back of him all the influence
and power of the King. Pharaoh sees this
and hence passes over to Joseph the insignia
of Government. The ring was the symbol
of authority. So Ahasuerus presented Hannah
with a royal ring Est, 3: 10.l AntiochuS
placed a ring on Philips finger. II Mace, 8: 10.
The signet ring had a seal, and its poSsessOl
had power to sign governmental documents
1t was therefore on the right hand, (Jer., -: 24
that being the executive hand. Prison apparel
was not fitting him who was next to the King
in the Government. He must have roya
raiment. Persons in office used to wear chains Of
great richness and value about the neck. Hence
Joseph must be thus adorned. When Daniel wa:
promoted by Belshazzar he was presented with q
gold chain to wear about his neck. (Dan.
$40 Royalty must not walk, and so Joseph
was furnished q chariot. This was q vehicle
on two wheels, ordinarily drawn by horses
used on state occasions, often employed in war
of rich construction, and used only by the
wealthy or regal. The first mention we have in
the Bible OF the chariot is IN our lesson. The
order of chariots in grand Egyptian procession:
in the days of Joseph was, first, the Kings
secondly. that of Jacobs son.
In totally new relations and circumstances
il was beftting Joseph have some naturalzed
national title. Pharaoh named him Zaph
nath- paaneah. It is thought this means ht
preserpeT Of the liriRg, pointing to the work il
which Joseph was to engage for the next sever
! years. Daniel received the name Of Belteshaz
Ear; Hananiah, of Shadrach; Mishael, of Me
schach; AZariah, of Abed- nego. DAN, l 8, q.
To bring Joseph still more into sympathy
with the Egyptians, Pharaoh furnished hin
with a wife of their nationality. Such mar
risge would probably have struck Abraham
Isaac and Jacob unfavorably, it being He